HC order on MPs chairing governing bodies of schools, colleges remains valid

An appeal against a High Court ruling over MPs heading managing committees of local schools and colleges has failed to get a response from the Supreme Court.

A four-member appeals bench, led by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha, heard the matter on Sunday and closed the issue, saying “no order.”

The Appellate Division’s decision upheld the High Court ruling that the heading of governing bodies of educational institutions by MPs ran contrary to the Constitution, said a lawyer.

On June 1, a High Court bench said the rule related to the appointment of the heads of the panels in the Regulation for Managing Committee and Governing Bodies contradicted Article 11 of the Constitution, Intermediate and Secondary Education Ordinance, 1961, and the basic spirit of the regulation itself.

The judges also observed the intermediate and secondary education boards would decide whether the MPs could be on the committees and how.

They also declared the rule to form special committees in these institutions ultra vires.

The High Court had been hearing a public interest litigation filed by lawyer Yunus Ali Akand, challenging the special committee of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College in Dhaka.

The school authorities moved the appeals court to stay the order, which was heard by the top court on Sunday.

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam represented the school, while Akand stood for the petitioner.

“The High Court’s order has been upheld, which means MP’s cannot chair governing bodies,” said Akand.